Jim enters his fifth season with the Robert Morris hockey program and his first as head coach of the Gold team. Jim started with the program as the assistant coach for the Gold team in 2003-04 and the head coach of the White team in 2004-05, then took over the maroon team in 2006-1007.  He now takes over the top team in the program.  "Jim plotted a consistent and steady course for the Maroon team and has been a real asset to our program," says RMC Director of Hockey Operations Tom Wendlandt. "Now we are looking for Jim to do the same thing with the Gold and get us back to the national tournament!"

A native of Chicago, Jim actually began his coaching career in Utah, starting with the Murray High School program in 1993.  He also played a year of professional roller hockey for RHI before returning to Chicago.

Since his return he has coached a variety of teams including the Evanston Wildkits, a Chicago Young Americans AAA team, and the Park Ridge Express.  Prior to joining the coaching ranks at RMC Jim was the head coach for the Loyola Academy JV team, where he won a state championship.

Jim is very active in the hockey community during the off season as well, working at clinics for various youth hockey organizations and helping to run a summer collegiate league. 

"I am very excited about coaching the Gold team this season," Coach Sanchez says.  "We have a solid core of returning players, plus some excellent new recruits who can help get us back in the national championship hunt."